New Westin Flex purchase

[grandma]

We purchased 162,000 Westin Flex SOs which included deeding back our EOY WL studio and our 2 bd. EOY WPORV. We have owned both of those since pre-construction and are well aware of the little to no value; also very rarely use them. We kept our WKV 2 bd. EY Platinum. Although we aren’t thrilled to spend more money, we are happy to get rid of the two Voluntary resorts that did not hold value for us. I have not thoroughly researched the WF program and have some questions. When booking Hawaii properties through Flex, is Island View the only choice? No Ocean View? I know the Ocean Front units are not in Flex, although I was told this morning by Vistana that ALL units are included in Flex depending on availability; I don’t believe that, except at the 8 month reservation period. Something else we were told is that any new Westins would be included in the Flex program. I’m assuming that would mean that if any new Westins come down the pike, and are put into WF in part or entirety, only then would we have access through WF.

 

[jabberwocky]

We purchased 162,000 Westin Flex SOs which included deeding back our EOY WL studio and our 2 bd. EOY WPORV. We have owned both of those since pre-construction and are well aware of the little to no value; also very rarely use them. We kept our WKV 2 bd. EY Platinum. Although we aren’t thrilled to spend more money, we are happy to get rid of the two Voluntary resorts that did not hold value for us. I have not thoroughly researched the WF program and have some questions. When booking Hawaii properties through Flex, is Island View the only choice? No Ocean View? I know the Ocean Front units are not in Flex, although I was told this morning by Vistana that ALL units are included in Flex depending on availability; I don’t believe that, except at the 8 month reservation period.

I believe most of what they have in the trust is island view (or resort view at Nanea). Some Flex Owners have been able to book an Ocean View, but I would not bank on this. No OF units are in Flex regardless of what the salesperson told you, but you don't have enough options for a full week in a 2 BR (is that what you want since your other purchases seem to be 2BR?). You've hit the nail on the head in that they were probably talking about a SO reservation when they said all units can be book depending on availability. Would you prefer booking OF? If so you might be better off getting an OF at WKORV or WKORV-N. MF's would be lower as well.

Something else we were told is that any new Westins would be included in the Flex program. I’m assuming that would mean that if any new Westins come down the pike, and are put into WF in part or entirety, only then would we have access through WF.

I would not believe this. They will be in some sort of Flex program; however, the Mexican Westin's are in a separate trust and the Westin St. John Resort (USVI) is not in the Westin Flex program. I suspect only new Westin's in the US would be added.

 

[bizaro86]

I think it's really unlikely they'll do new Westin branded TS. They have the rights to make as many new Marriott branded resorts as they want, but the Westin deal would require renegotiation (ie more $) to add Westin branded resorts.

 

[jabberwocky]

I think it's really unlikely they'll do new Westin branded TS. They have the rights to make as many new Marriott branded resorts as they want, but the Westin deal would require renegotiation (ie more $) to add Westin branded resorts.

This is a good point. Bottom line, never buy for promises of a future resort unless it is already under construction!

 

[Grandmama]

This is a good point. Bottom line, never buy for promises of a future resort unless it is already under construction!

Yes, good point.

I believe most of what they have in the trust is island view (or resort view at Nanea). Some Flex Owners have been able to book an Ocean View, but I would not bank on this. No OF units are in Flex regardless of what the salesperson told you, but you don't have enough options for a full week in a 2 BR (is that what you want since your other purchases seem to be 2BR?). You've hit the nail on the head in that they were probably talking about a SO reservation when they said all units can be book depending on availability. Would you prefer booking OF? If so you might be better off getting an OF at WKORV or WKORV-N. MF's would be lower as well.



I would not believe this. They will be in some sort of Flex program; however, the Mexican Westin's are in a separate trust and the Westin St. John Resort (USVI) is not in the Westin Flex program. I suspect only new Westin's in the US would be added.

We weren’t looking for 2 bedroom OF. We decided that we would get enough WF options for two 1 bedrooms a year. We like the idea of the 12 month reservation window at many resorts, the ability to reserve less than a week at 8-12 mos. and the flexibility of II; not having to use a full week. This brought us to 4 star, not that that was important to us; just a couple small perks with that. At one time we were 5 star platinum owners and didn’t really use the perks with that status. For the past 9 years we have been 3 star, but owned voluntary home resorts that weren’t what we wanted or used. This “upgrade” is the best we feel we can do to get what we want out of our Vistana ownership. If we had it to do all over again.........., Sigh.

 

[cubigbird]

I think it's really unlikely they'll do new Westin branded TS. They have the rights to make as many new Marriott branded resorts as they want, but the Westin deal would require renegotiation (ie more $) to add Westin branded resorts.

There have to be new resorts added eventually. Sales can only churn ownerships but so far, and we are seeing that now with the "introduction" of the Flex products and essentially a repackaging of what's existing. They had no new inventory, other than Cabo, so they had to come up with something "new" to sell. At some point there will have to be new inventory to fuel the sales machine.

 

[bizaro86]

There have to be new resorts added eventually. Sales can only churn ownerships but so far, and we are seeing that now with the "introduction" of the Flex products and essentially a repackaging of what's existing. They had no new inventory, other than Cabo, so they had to come up with something "new" to sell. At some point there will have to be new inventory to fuel the sales machine.

IIRC the is lots of stuff to build at desert willow. That, combined with trade-in/rofr probably covers them for a long time.

And I think eventually there will be some sort of cross-product deal, and they'll end up selling DC points at the Westin sales centers.

 

[controller1]

I think it's really unlikely they'll do new Westin branded TS. They have the rights to make as many new Marriott branded resorts as they want, but the Westin deal would require renegotiation (ie more $) to add Westin branded resorts.

Where do you find this? I've read over the filed SEC docs from Marriott Vacations Worldwide and I don't see this addressed. Also, MVW specifically states:
Under the terms of our license agreements with Marriott International, The Ritz-Carlton Hotel Company, Starwood and Hyatt, we must obtain the consent of the applicable licensor to use the applicable licensed trademarks in connection with resorts, residences or other accommodations that we acquire or develop in the future.